Easter Time (Apr 1999)

Sydney Jean Kane enjoying a pre-Easter egg hunt at Butler's Orchard. Pat missed out since he was in California on business. That didn't stop Sydney and Kathy from having tons of fun.

Sydney Jean Kane enjoying a pre-Easter egg hunt at Butler's Orchard. Pat missed out since he was in California on business. That didn't stop Sydney and Kathy from having tons of fun.

"See Mom, an egg!" Sydney Jean Kane enjoying a pre-Easter egg hunt at Butler's Orchard. Pat missed out since he was in California on business. That didn't stop Sydney and Kathy from having tons of fun.

"My, what big ears you have." Sydney Jean Kane enjoying a pre-Easter egg hunt at Butler's Orchard. Pat missed out since he was in California on business. That didn't stop Sydney and Kathy from having tons of fun.

"Duck!" One of Sydney Jean Kane favorite animals. Just one of the fun things to do at Butler's Orchard.

Sydney Jean Kane telling the Easter Bunny all about the fun she's having at Butler's Orchard.

Time for a hay ride. Sydney Jean Kane showing Kathy the eggs she found today at Butler's Orchard.

Sydney Jean Kane and Madeline, another resident of The Kennedy-Warren out on the front lawn. You could easily confuse the two as sisters and Madeline's mom is named Kathy as well!

Sydney Jean Kane and Madeline, another resident of The Kennedy-Warren out on the front lawn. You could easily confuse the two as sisters and Madeline's mom is named Kathy as well!

Hilarie, Jennifer, Melissa and Richard Nichols with Sydney Jean Kane on the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren. Believe it or not, Kathy was the girls' aupair when she first came to the States. As you can see, that was quite a few years ago.

"Let me see. Anything over there?" It's Easter and time for Sydney Jean Kane to find the eggs we hid on the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren.

"Ah ha. Found one!" Sydney Jean Kane Easter egg hunting on the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren.

Sydney Jean Kane is one pretty happy toddler after nabbing an Easter egg on the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren.

"See Mom!" Sydney Jean Kane is one pretty happy toddler after nabbing an Easter egg on the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren.

Surveying her find, Sydney Jean Kane decides she like the yellow eggs the best. Yes, that's Dad's forehead in the picture.

We ended up hiding the eggs several times as Sydney Jean Kane was having a lot of fun finding them. Either that or she enjoyed being the center of attention as the grown-ups followed her around. On the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren. Easter, Cherry Blossoms and a visit from the Nicholls. I caught a red-eye flight back from Los Angeles so that I could be here on Easter Sunday with Kathy, Sydney and the Nichols family. It was a great decision as we had a wonderful time on Sunday. After our Easter egg hunt, we headed to the National Mall and the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. Though the Nichols family mostly fended for themselves, we did join them for a tour of the U.S. Capitol and the Holocaust Museum. Overall, an enjoyable time. (Apr 1999)

Jennifer and Melissa Nichols with Sydney Jean Kane on the front lawn of The Kennedy-Warren. I'm not sure who had more fun during the Easter egg hunt.

Richard, Hilarie, Melissa and Jennifer Nichols in front of the White House. The Nichols had perfect timing as the weather was beautiful that day.

Patrick and Sydney Kane "at the top" of the Washington Monument. Unfortunately, the Monument is undergoing major restoration and isn't as pretty on the outside as it normally is (dang scaffolding). Fortunately, a temporary exhibit, the Washington Monument Interpretive Center, is on the monument grounds. It's a shame that it's only temporary as it's quite good.

Melissa Nichols "at the top" of the Washington Monument. Unfortunately, the Monument is undergoing major restoration and isn't as pretty on the outside as it normally is (dang scaffolding). Fortunately, a temporary exhibit, the Washington Monument Interpretive Center, is on the monument grounds. It's a shame that it's only temporary as it's quite good.

Cherry tree blossoms on the National Mall near the Washington Monument.

Kathy Kane, Jennifer and Hilarie Nichols enjoying the cherry tree blossoms around the Tidal Basin at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Patrick and Kathy Kane (Sydney was sleeping) enjoying the cherry tree blossoms around the Tidal Basin at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. There sure were a lot of people here today!

Cherry tree blossoms around the Tidal Basin at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Cherry tree blossoms around the Tidal Basin at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background. This picture was taken just before the thunderstorm we got caught in!

Sydney Jean Kane, 15 months old today, enjoying dinner in our apartment.

The U.S. Capitol

The inside of the U.S. Capitol rotunda.

Sydney and Kathy Kane viewing the exhibits on the bottom floor of the U.S. Capitol.

I believe this is the old Supreme Court Chamber in the U.S. Capitol.

Sydney Jean Kane with her friend Christopher in our apartment.

Sydney Jean Kane enjoying her hike through Rock Creek Park.

Sydney Jean Kane enjoying her hike through Rock Creek Park. Notice the stick in her hand? Sticks and stones seem to be a prerequisite every time she goes outdoors.

Patrick and Sydney Jean Kane enjoying their hike with Kathy through Rock Creek Park.

Patrick and Sydney Jean Kane enjoying their hike with Kathy through Rock Creek Park.